Tyler Miller, the long-awaited 6’ 9” transfer from Paton-Churdan who was finally eligible to play with the Rams at a basketball showcase Saturday in Gilbert played well but wasn’t enough to overcome lackluster 3-point shooting from the
The Rams have strong 3-point shooters on the team in Trey Hinote and Carter Morton, but their shots were falling at a Basketball Showcase Saturday in Gilbert. Even with the addition of Tyler Miller, a 6’ 9” Paton-Churdan transfer who was finally eligible to play with the Rams, the Rams lost to the Dallas Center-Grimes Mustangs 70-55.If one statistic made a difference in the game, it was 3-point shooting. The Rams took 18 shots from beyond the arc and made only four for 22 percent. The Mustangs took 25 shots and made 11 for 44 percent. The Rams shot eight percentage points below their season average; the Mustangs shot eight percentage points above their average.
The Rams were down 20-17 after the first quarter and 39-28 at the half. After three quarters the Mustangs were up by 21 points, 58-37. The Rams scored 18 points in the fourth quarter, their best quarter of the game, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome of the game.
Miller led the Rams with 17 points He took no 3-point shots but made seven of seven free throws. The Rams did well from the line, making 13 of 17.
Carter Morton scored 14 points including one long basket. He led the Rams in rebounds with six. Hinote scored eight points including a pair of tres. He shot no free throws. Xavier Hayes scored six points, Joe Patterson scored four points, Cael Fisher scored three points with one long basket, and Nick Breon added two points.
The Mustangs are 5-8 on the season after the victory over the Rams.
The Rams are now 5-10 on the season and have lost seven of their last eight games. They host South Hamilton, 12-1 on the season and ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, in the middle school gym. The Rams have seven games remaining on the regular season schedule. They would claim a winning season if they won them all.
